Every child deserves
healthy teeth

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program — ABCD — puts young children on a lifelong path to good oral health. ABCD connects low-income families with dentists who know how to care for young kids, preventing tooth decay early and educating parents about how to take good care of their children’s teeth.

ABCD’s emphasis on prevention is making a huge difference in our state, not only for young children but for all Washingtonians. By getting children into care when they’re very young, the focus is on prevention rather than on the long-term cost of treating dental disease. We’re saving money and that benefits everyone.Washington State Representative Larry Seaquist 26th Legislative District, Pierce and Kitsap Counties

Since 1999, ABCD has more than doubled the percentage of Apple Health-eligible (Medicaid) babies, toddlers and preschoolers in Washington who receive dental care. More than half of these eligible children, some 52 percent, are receiving care today compared with only 21 percent 17 years ago.